The fact is we like to deal with small family businesses and get closer to the actual artisans that hands on make the products. But there are some lovely things and we got quite excited by some new style incense which we think you will love.

Mr Chatterjee our man in India, has a cotton and jute factory in Kolkata area and takes a stand to show his products. We use it as our unofficial office and meeting point for some of the artisan traders who come to the show to meet us.

After the show we went up to Delhi central - where it is suddenly Real India all honking horns, rickshaws and cows and crammed go-downs in colourful and lively back streets. A world away from the polished glamour of the show but where the real Indian artisans can be found.

We do more deals here than in the show and find wonderful organised people to work with. 

It's hot and sunny in Delhi, which belies the fact the air is the most polluted in the world. A few days is enough, and I find if the air is bad it upsets my digestion and have a constant acid stomach. So it's escape to Goa time.

Delhi to Goa takes two hours something, and it's nice to be home. A friendly face picks from the airport and we make it late at night to the small village in South Goa I feel is like a home. We have lots of friends here and a small apartment that we bought about 12 years ago.

The plan is to fly in some suppliers with a carton or two of samples. Everyone loves to go to Goa, and it's great to do business by the sea. It's also a lot cheaper and more time efficient than jumping to different cites around India.

So every year at this time I visit Goa - it's the beginning of the season, pristine empty beaches, fresh air, clear sky and smiling faces. 

Except something strange has happened to the usually predictable Indian weather.. the Monsoon normally hits hard here July & August, September is a little rainy on and off.. October is the best month.. But this year got all mixed up. And this week is HUGE rain.. lashing a constant full on monsoon.. today Friday we have been given a Red Weather warning, a near-bye typhoon could hit. The seas are high and windy and it's raining like hell.. everyone says they didn't see weather in October like this in living memory. But at least the air is fresh and clean.

Mr Mehul our exotic gemstone and orgonite guy flew down from Ahmadabad.. his flight delayed by weather conditions of course.. he made it late last night, we laid his samples out in his room - amazing and beautiful things.. 

Then went for dinner in a local restaurant - lashed down windows and constant power cuts - but cold beer and amazing seafood.. Mr Mehul seems very happy to be here despite everything..  Hope we can do a good deal..

Soon it's back to the UK.. looks like Brexit is delayed.. but who knows?

Meanwhile, it is almost Halloween - and a crazy rush of orders - Christmas season orders, Halloween stocking up.. and (not least) panic buying from Europe has put our team under huge pressure. Katka tells me it's getting extreme. So I have to report we have fallen behind on the speed front. A weekend shift will hopefully help. 

More news next week.

Take care.

David